[automizer]

Hello all
Im looking for a simple software for cutting letters and words. I have a copy of signlab thats so old its on a fist full of floppys. I need an upgrade that will work on something past windows 95
I dont use the plotter that much so I cant justify spending alot, at this point anyways.
So im looking for suggestions one cheep or free software.

Is there something that can plot like a DXF? just a thought

thanks for the help in advance

[Switcher]

Have you tried Inkscape?

It's free, & works with win XP.

DXF plugin for Inkscape here

[Switcher]

Inkscape sample DXF.


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[glenn@mynesting]

If you just want to draft up parts, a reasonable (and free!) cad package is DoubleCAD XT from www.doublecad.com. It is trying to be an AutoCAD LT clone and does it fairly well (but just misses the mark in my opinion).

To generate the CNC, you'll need a dxf to gcode convertor (or equivalent for your tech). Many of these are free but it depends what you need to ouput. Here's a couple of links:
Ace Converter - www.dakeng.com/ace.html
www.plasma777.com - free dxf to gcode convertor (mainly for plasma cutting but it might do if you turn some settings off)

For the nesting side (if you need that updated from the old Signlab too), you could try my automatic nesting software (a shameless plug ) at www.mynesting.com as it is free to download and use at the moment and could save a lot of time from manually nesting up parts. Parts are loaded in from dxfs and the software exports full layouts also to dxf files so, if you can find a suitable convertor to post to your machine, you should be sorted.

I've attached an example layout produced by MyNesting on some letters (also a zipped dxf file in case you want a closer look).

Glenn

[glenn@mynesting]

... another couple of options I just thought up:

SheetCam - www.sheetcam.com
CamBam - www.cambam.co.uk

There's a fair chance that these would handle the CNC post for you but I don't think they have built-in cad (or the nesting).

[vicstransam]

Signblazer Elements will do it. It is free, for now anyways. Download at US Cutters. Creation Pcut 630 is one of the listed cutters in SB and it is HPGL-1.